Swansea not rushing Wilfried Bony as he adapts to Premier League life says manager Michael Laudrup

Rotated: Record signing is being slowly bedded in at the Liberty Stadium (Image: Reuters)

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Swansea City record signing Wilfried Bony has made only four Premier League starts since his summer move but manager Michael Laudrup is convinced that using him sparingly will help him adapt to life in the English top-flight and find his best form.

The Ivory Coast international arrived at the Liberty Stadium from Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem for £12 million in July, having notched 31 goals in 30 matches in the Eredivisie last season.

However, he was once again only on the substitutes bench as Swansea lost 1-0 to Cardiff on Sunday, but the Swans' boss believes that breaking the 24-year-old in slowly will prove best for his development, regardless of the price tag.

"We all know when you have a huge price tag on your shoulders there's always a lot more pressure on you, a lot more expectation," the Dane told reporters.

"He didn't have a proper pre-season; after we signed him he had to stay away for the work permit. He started playing, in some games he did well, especially in the European games.

"We want him to be at his best, we're here to help him and that's why we're doing extra things with him because we want him at his best and I think he understands that.

"Maybe in some games he is not there, of course everybody wants to play always, but what we're doing is trying to put him up to his best condition, so we can see the best of Wilfried.

"He's coming from the Dutch league to the Premier League; it's a huge step and that's why we're trying to help him."

In all competitions for the Swans this term, Bony has 7 goals from 16 appearances.